Charles Blondin walked back and forth on a tightrope above the gorge of Niagara Falls as thousands of spectators watched.

• In 1908, the Tunguska Event (above) took place in Russia as an asteroid exploded above Siberia, leaving 800 square miles of scorched or blown-down trees.

• In 1912, Canada’s deadliest tornado on record occurred as a cyclone struck Regina, the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, killing 28 people.

• In 1934, Adolf Hitler carried out his “blood purge” of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as “the Night of the Long Knives.”

• In 1953, the first Chevrolet Corvette, with its innovative fiberglass body, was built at a General Motors assembly plant in Flint, Mich.

• In 1958, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska statehood bill by a vote of 64-20.

• In 1963, Pope Paul VI (above) was installed as the 262nd head of the Roman Catholic Church.

• In 1985, 39 American hostages from a hijacked TWA jetliner were freed in Beirut after being held 17 days.

• In 1993, actor George “Spanky” McFarland of Our Gang and Little Rascals fame died in Grapevine, Texas, at age 64.

• Ten years ago: Comedian-actor Buddy Hackett died in Malibu, Calif., at age 78.

• Five years ago: President George W. Bush signed legislation to pay for war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the rest of his presidency and beyond, hailing the $162 billion plan as a rare product of bipartisan cooperation.

• One year ago: Islamist Mohammed Morsi became Egypt’s first freely elected president as he was sworn in during a pair of ceremonies.

Thought for today

“I believe the future is only the past again, entered through another gate.” — Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, English dramatist (1855-1934)

Source: Associated Press

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